So many critics. I'll be buying a mini, then when retina comes ill buy another, and then when the next greatest thing worth while comes out ill buy that as well.... So will millions of others. It's only three hundred bucks. Then used it will sell for what. Two hundred? I'll gladly rent one for a hundred or two for the next six months.

I received my Mini the other day and the screen is great. Sure you can always look for fault, but the bottom line is for day in, day out use it really meets my needs. The portability is amazing, and it's perfect for laying in bed and reading or watching Netflix.

I knew full well when I ordered it that 2013 would bring Retina and a better processor (probably even a 16:9 display like the iPad 5 will have. OH NOES111) but it meets my needs today - and even if I wait 3 more years, something "better" will always be just around the corner.

So - feel free to wait until next Fall, but I will have had a full year of enjoyment with my Mini by that time, and I guarantee you the people who wait until 2014 will get something thinner, lighter, faster and cooler. Welcome to the world of technology.

Apple likes to have a clear upgrade path in their products, both from product to product, but also in the generation-to-generation dimension within the same product line and in the spec-to-spec dimension within the same generation.

That is genius. It allows upgrade paths in three different dimensions for existing customers. You can get a more capable iteration of your existing product. You can get a new generation product with better stuff in the box. And you can get a new type of product to supplement your existing selections.

So Apple will sell a gazillion iMinis this time around, only to get many of the same people to buy them again next time around. Lots of customers will get an iMini iRetina when it hits the stores - hell, they'll wait in line to buy a second iMini with the new specs and capabilities.

Apple knows EXACTLY what they are doing. And their fans scream "Shut up and take my money!".

Whenever I start to think I'm an Apple fan, someone like you comes along and defines the fans in such a way that I'm excluded.

I upgrade when the new version excites me enough to make it worth my while. I guess I'm just not hardcore enough to be a REAL fan.

Thanks for letting me know where i fit into the hierarchy.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Appleisntpefect

Only a fool doesn't know the next gen in 6 months will have retina.
And A6.

And when it takes seven or eight months, or even a year, some will be apoplectic that Apple missed the deadline imposed on them.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by thekeyring

For the iPad mini to work as it currently does, it's Retina Display would be to be an incredibly high resolution screen. All the pixels of the third/fourth generation iPad in that screen size.

Quick question: Do iPhone apps appear tiny on iPad mini?

I can't put my finger on why, but I can't help feeling by just making the pixels smaller, Apple are making a mistake somehow... Maybe it's just me.

You can put your finger on it. Just go to the Apple Store and try one out for yourself. The experience may reenforce your feeling that making the screen smaller was a mistake, or you may find it doesn't make a difference.

I hope your right about the 5th gen iPad! I'm on iPad 2 and want the new one, but want to wait and see if they put the new anti reflective imac screen design into the ipad. And if they can make it a bit thinner and lighter and a bit faster, but keep battery life about the same then it will be a great update.

(Today)
Retina is just bluff! It has no use! I'm very happy with my low res screen. Oh no, it's not low res at all! It's higher than my old CRT TV! It's really crisp comparing to the iPad 1 ~3 years ago! I'm buying 4 of them for my family. I love what I buy! I must praise it. I paid for it, of course it's the best!

(6 months later)
Wow retina! Wow same price! Well done Apple. I'm happily paying again. I'd love to pay twice in a year. Who cares if this looks the same. I am buying the 4G LTE 64GB version for $659, it's JUST double the price of the base 16GB wifi! What a bargain! And boy it's crystal clear! Reading books is such a pleasant experience on this thing. I absolutely love it. Please release another one which is twice as fast with A7 processor in it half a year later so that I can pay for a third time.

I was talking to a friend today who made me realize something I would have never considered since I don't have kids. The school his daughter goes to is implementing a system where every child gets an ipad and will no longer have to carry around heavy books in their heavy backpacks. Initially the school was slated to purchase the $399 iPad 2... Here comes the $329 iPad Mini. And guess what the school is doing? Yes.... saving $70 per ipad and having an even smaller, lighter and sufficient tablet for the kids to work with. I can honestly bet that the school can care less about Pixel Density or whether the screens are retina or not. With this mentality, the iPad mini will be an ideal "E-School Book" for many private schools such as my friend mentioned.

Apply this to corporations, government agencies and many business... who will also not care about a retina display.

It seems that it's only MacRumors members and Gizmodo readers that are making such a big deal out of this.

I can honestly bet that the school can care less about Pixel Density or whether the screens are retina or not.

Apply this to corporations, government agencies and many business... who will also not care about a retina display.

It seems that it's only MacRumors members and Gizmodo readers that are making such a big deal out of this.

Schools, corps, govt agencies, and businesses have to manage budget to please their shareholders/sponsors/taxpayers/whatevers. Functionality is managed with cost to be 'good enough' or 'fit for purpose'.

But when I'm shelling out my money I want more than that, because I'm worth it!

I am going to keep mine 20 days and take back. Oh well...I'll be tabletless until that comes out....Grrrr!!!!

I still have my iPad 3. So I won't be without a tablet. But I wouldn't think you (we) will have to wait long before the retina mini comes out. Retina is good and let's not forget Apple taught us that we need retina. :-)

I still have my iPad 3. So I won't be without a tablet. But I wouldn't think you (we) will have to wait long before the retina mini comes out. Retina is good and let's not forget Apple taught us that we need retina. :-)

Schools, corps, govt agencies, and businesses have to manage budget to please their shareholders/sponsors/taxpayers/whatevers. Functionality is managed with cost to be 'good enough' or 'fit for purpose'.

But when I'm shelling out my money I want more than that, because I'm worth it!

Yes, you're worth it. I was just pointing out a different spectrum since most apple users believe that Apple is making products specifically for them.